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Kansas City, MO — The Health Forward Foundation (Health Forward) is proud to award $3 million in grants to 27 nonprofit organizations through our 2018 Healthy Communities funding.
These programs support environments and policies that promote equitable opportunities for healthy eating, active living, and tobacco use prevention.
“We are proud to partner with organizations that ensure everyone has an opportunity for better health. Supporting this work is one of the best ways to make sure healthy habits become the norm,” said Bridget McCandless, M.D., President/CEO.
Health Forward received a total of 66 proposals totaling nearly $9.7 million in requests.
The following grants were awarded during the June board of directors meeting:
[efstable width =”100%”] [efstable_head] [efsth_column]Agency[/efsth_column] [efsth_column]Award[/efsth_column] [efsth_column]Grant Description[/efsth_column] [/efstable_head] [efstable_body] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]After the Harvest[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$153,091[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To increase the amount and variety of fresh fruits and vegetables available to food banks and feeding agencies in Missouri and Kansas.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]BikeWalkKC[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$146,500[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To implement the first two years of a five-year policy agenda to achieve healthy, equitable solutions that address health disparities, improve multi-modal transit options, and advance community engagement.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]Calvary Community Outreach Network[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$69,000[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To provide fitness and nutrition programming and build advocacy capacity among neighborhood and faith-based partners in four urban core zip codes of Kansas City, Missouri.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]Cornerstones of Care[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$103,371[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To support an outdoor and farm skills education program that provides experiential learning opportunities and introduces healthy foods and lifestyle habits to children with behavioral and emotional challenges.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]Covenant Presbyterian Church[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$53,692[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To offer healthy eating and active living classes, exercise opportunities, increased access to healthy foods, and intensive nutrition coaching for food pantry clients. The church will also develop health leaders in the community and a wellness center advisory council.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]Cultivate Kansas City[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$131,251[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To increase the number of local and refugee farmers growing and selling fresh fruits and vegetables as a path to self sufficiency. [/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]Guadalupe Centers[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$72,364[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To increase access to exercise and recreation for the underserved Westside neighborhood by developing a new youth sports and recreation area and a new youth center.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]Harvesters[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$125,000[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To improve technology required to manage logistics and outreach programs and increase fresh produce distribution.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]Healing House[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$100,000[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To support the expansion of the Healing House Recovery Community Center through culinary training, staffing, and education. [/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]Heartland Conservation Alliance[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$99,761[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To empower urban core communities to restore and sustainably care for vacant lots. Restoration projects will provide a healthy environment and community-based education on healthy living.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$95,000[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To build upon existing quality of health approaches by empowering residents and providing resources and equitable environments to make informed decisions.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]Jewish Vocational Service[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$60,000[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To transform vacant lots into garden spaces, and increase access to healthy and affordable food for refugees in Kansas City’s Historic Northeast.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]Kansas City Community Gardens[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$124,500[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To provide essential gardening support and education to more than 20,000 households through partnership with community organizations and schools.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$175,000[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To support expansion of the Coaching Health and Movement Program with Students (CHAMPS) to help parents and children get the resources they need to make healthier choices.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]City of Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Administration[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$115,000[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To expand a place-based approach to mobilizing residents living in zip codes where people live below the federal poverty level and life expectancy rates are less than other areas of the city.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]KC Healthy Kids[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$75,000[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To advance policies and practices that support healthy eating by increasing the use of local foods in schools and community-based institutions.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]Legal Aid of Western Missouri[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$71,512[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To support the Adopt-A-Neighborhood Project by pairing neighborhoods with local law firms to address community environmental and health issues.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]Mattie Rhodes Center[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$145,890[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To support youth and their families in Kansas City’s Historic Northeast to create safer and healthier community environments through a continuum of services.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]Mid-America Regional Council Community Services Corporation[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$127,875[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To demonstrate how the benefits of green infrastructure result in community regeneration by connecting high-level planning and policy, community engagement, and neighborhood implementation.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]NourishKC[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$150,000[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To meet the needs of low-income, food-insecure individuals through a comprehensive, multi-partner food distribution warehouse. [/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]Reconciliation Services[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$174,116[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To implement the RS Café donate-what-you-can model. The expanded RS Café will continue to provide healthy, wholesome food and serve as a critically needed community hub.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]reStart[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$130,423[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To provide access to nutritious food, healthy living education; and to develop safer neighborhoods that improve the health and wellness of homeless persons.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]The Don Bosco Community Center[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$137,706[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To provide increased access to healthy food and recreation that improve the health and well-being of low-income seniors, immigrants, and refugees.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]The University of Kansas Center for Research[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$114,368[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To train community health ambassadors as change agents for healthier settings among Latinx and African-Americans in Kansas City, Kansas.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]The Whole Person[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$72,080[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To develop the Kansas City Accessible Sports Regional Roundtable and three-year Accessible Sports Action Plan and expand a school-based, adaptive sports diversity and inclusion program.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]Thrive Allen County[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$40,000[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To promote active transportation and make Allen County a safe and easy place to walk and bike.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [efstable_row] [efsrow_column]Tri-County Mental Health Services[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]$137,500[/efsrow_column] [efsrow_column]To reduce use of e-cigarettes by youth in the Kansas City, Missouri, portions of Clay and Platte counties.[/efsrow_column] [/efstable_row] [/efstable_body] [/efstable]
The Healthy Communities Grants are the first round of foundation defined grants awarded by Health Forward in 2018. For more information on applying for Health Forward foundation defined grants, visit healthforward.org.
